Devastated

[Rach Xxxx]

I got a gorgeous male budgie, called Coco, about 4 / 5 years ago, he became so incredibly tamed i could walk around with him on my shoulder all day if i wanted to. Then about a year ago I got another male budgie, Treelo, to keep him company, a rescue one from this guy who breeds them and also takes in rescue birds from the rspca.
Treelo had deformed feet, when i got him they werent too bad but they seemed to get worse, but he always seemed happy, apart from not letting me handle him at all. Then he started getting this crusty yellow stuff around his beak, and i panicked but my dad said it was just scaley face so i bought the ointment stuff from the petshop and started treating him.

I completely blame myself for not taking him to the vets, but he died just before xmas and i started to clean out the cage thoroughly and when i removed one of the toys from the side of the cage (it had a screw thing with a cap to fasten it) I found horrible little red mites. I'd only bought the toy a few weeks earlier.

The cage was cleaned properly and everything, and my dad checked coco for any signs of the mites (he used to keep birds himself) but he seemed fine, chirpy, even happier than usual.

Coco passed away three weeks ago, and i'm devastated he was fine that night and in the morning he was dead.

I blamed myself, i still do, i should have taken him to the vets to get checked out, and i dont know if it was mites or something else.

I have bought another budgie, whos still nameless, the cage has been disinfected and everything, but i read in a forum about red mites being extremely contagious and that they bite people too so I'm terrified of him getting them.

I'm so sorry this is really long but i hope somebody will take the time to read this and offer me some advice.

Thank you.

[elwood_blues]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Try not to blame yourself, it was a mistake and these things happen.

I'm not sure about mites but alot of experts on here will have some helpful answers.

Once again i'm sorry *hugs*

[Joe1]

i'm sorry to hear of your budgies. :(
again, i'm not to sure about mites but i have heard that it makes the beak go crooked.

[clifff123]

So sorry for your loss. Gone but never forgotten!!
RIP: Coco and Treelo.

[misslinda]

So sorry. We all know how bad it hurts to lose a beloved pet. My heart goes out to you. :(

[pal0m1n0]

That is very sad and I completely understand why you blame yourself, but these things happen. :( I don't know how common the red mites are but I know they are bad. I see them in my backyard and worry that I could bring them into the house. I think they can survive in the environment so you will want to keep checking for them. A simple way is to put a white sheet over the cage at night and check the sheet in the morning. If you think they came in on the toy. you should let the manufacturer and the store know.

I hope your new bird brings you some joy, and again my condolences.

[Nikoletta]

I am very sorry about Coco and Treelo, it's really hard to lose a budgie.. I ever heard of red mites so I cannot give you an advice. But I really hope for the best for your new budgie.

[keetantielgurl]

Sorry about your loss my blue died before xmas as well/ Red mites... Umm. I don't know but I'dcheck every day in the cage for them and keep the bird mite spray with you. You might want to spray the next bird you get as well.
R.I.P Coco & Treelo forever

[cute_coco]

Coco? My old coco was the best budgie in the world I loved him more then any other budgie. Not this coco but one before him Its been a year since hes gone but I still miss him and cry for him and stuff.